Coldwells Build unveils a new certified Passivhaus range

At Coldwells Build, we’ve spent the past two years designing a range of energy-efficient homes that reflect everything we stand for. With a focus on timeless design, well-planned layouts and natural materials, it signals a smart new chapter for our award-winning business.

In winter 2024, we’ll launch the Coldwells Build Passivhaus range. Modern, prefabricated homes built to world-class standards – the first of their kind in Scotland.

Passivhaus is the world’s leading building standard for energy-efficient homes. It was developed in the 1980s by the German physicist, Wolfgang Feist, who set out to investigate why low-energy buildings weren’t delivering on their expected potential. He applied his findings to create Passivhaus – a physics-based method for building extraordinary, high-performance homes. Today there are 65 thousand Passivhaus buildings worldwide and it’s fast-becoming a popular choice for U.K. self-builders wanting homes with minimal energy and carbon demand.

Passivhaus homes are so insulated and well ventilated, they maintain a comfortable temperature year-round, with no draughts or cold spots and minimal heating needs. It keeps you warm in the winter months and cool in the summer, with significantly reduced heating bills. In fact, a Passivhaus cuts heating demand by 79%, compared to homes built to current Scottish building regulations and reduces lifetime carbon emissions by almost 40%.

Building a Passivhaus is complex. From hiring certified architects and contractors to design choices, material selections and layout decisions. For busy people who want the world’s best energy-efficient home, it’s a big commitment. That’s why we’ve distilled 3000+ decisions into one convenient package – the Coldwells Build Passivhaus.

Select your new home from our ready-to-go Passivhaus designs and we’ll build it on your land. With plans, engineering and Passivhaus modelling already taken care of by us, it shaves 12 months off the typical design & build process.

This isn’t just an ‘eco-home’. Coldwells Build Passivhaus designs surpass the U.K. building regulations and are certified Passivhaus (the global gold standard of energy-efficient construction). Super insulated and airtight, you’ll live comfortably year-round. An official Passivhaus plaque fixed to your home proves its world-class qualifications.

Budgeting for a build is critical. That’s why the Coldwells Build Passivhaus is designed & built to a fixed price. We provide details of all costs upfront, empowering you to plan for your project with total confidence.

Pick between two delivery options. Our Coldwells Build service is a turnkey solution for a ready-to-move-into home. We keep things simple for you with pre-vetted interior options and colour schemes that uphold our quality standards. This service is currently only available in Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire. 

The alternative route is using You Build. This is an easy and economical option for U.K. self-builders, or those with a knack for construction. Choose your Coldwells Build Passivhaus design – we’ll plan, manufacture, deliver and erect it on your site to a wind, watertight and airtight stage. You complete the internal fit out to your own taste and style.

As one of the only house builders in Scotland with a fully-trained workforce in Passivhaus construction, our team is qualified and committed to building to this world-leading standard. The Coldwells Build Passivhaus is prefabricated in our Aberdeenshire workshop, hand built by our Passivhaus craftsmen, before being delivered to your site and assembled within days.

Quality you can see, feel, and rely on. Every material and component is high performance or Passivhaus certified. Unlike modern new-builds, the Coldwells Build Passivhaus won’t require expensive upgrades when Scotland goes net zero in 2045 & the rest of the U.K. in 2050. Built to last, our homes are fit for the future.

Developed in partnership with Scotland’s leading Passivhaus designers, John Gilbert Architects, the Coldwells Build Passivhaus comes in six contemporary, light-filled designs ranging in size from 2 to 5 bedrooms.